Kelsie's Story: 

This year, I am excited to join the Raleigh Promise Walk for Preeclampsia fundrasising team to raise awareness and funds in support of the Preeclampsia Foundation.

The first day home with a new baby can be overwhelming under normal circumstances, and we thought that would be the case for us. But when Peter was just four days old, less than 24 hours after we came home from the hospital, I was readmitted to the hospital for postpartum preeclampsia with severe features after an alarmingly high home blood pressure reading and other symptoms. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder experienced during pregnancy and sometimes the postpartum period that can lead to stroke, seizure, and organ failure. The exact cause for postpartum preeclampsia is unknown but rates are increasing. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, “the rate of preeclampsia in the US has increased 25% in the last two decades and is a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death.”

I "Make Strides" because becoming a parent is hard enough and we deserve the tools and knowledge for our health and wellbeing. Participating in the Promise Walk has also been a fulfilling and empowering experience to help make meaning out of my experience. 

Join my team to support our improving outcome and experiences for those impacted by preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy!